Jason McCartney MP » Local Issues

Traders and Trains

Jason's Staff — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:05:35 +0000

Jason was delighted to have secured a debate on the Northern Rail Hub yesterday which attracted 25 MPs of all parties. The Northern Hub is a proposed series of infrastructure investment projects to the rail network in the north. The £560m Hub project could add up to 30,000 new jobs and be worth £4.2Bn to the northern economy. You can read Jason’s speech here.

The night before Jason spoke in the debate on Town Centres and High Streets following the Mary Portas review. Jason highlighted the Tesco planning application for Holmfirth and the success of Lidget Street in Lindley. You can read his contribution to the debate here.

Filed under: Local Campaigns, Local Issues, National Issues, Parliament, Speeches, Transport

Combating Metal Thefts

Jason's Staff — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:36:31 +0000

Jason has raised the issue of metal thefts with the Prime Minister during PMQs in Parliament. You can watch his question on Youtube, here.

He visited J B Schofield and Sons in Linthwaite to hear the views of a local scrap metal merchant. It is his view that the criminals must be punished, not reputable businesses.

Filed under: Crime, Linthwaite, Local Issues, National Issues, Photos

A Full House But Empty Homes

Jason McCartney — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:37:21 +0000

The House of Commons Chamber was full this lunchtime as the Chancellor delivered his Autumn Statement. There is no quick fix as the government does whatever it takes to protect our country from the debt storm.

Yorkshire will benefit from electrification of the Transpennine Express rail route and there is £1bn more for the Regional Growth Fund which has already helped Yorkshire businesses. The Chancellor also announces the largest ever cash rise for pensioners and he cancelled the 3p a litre rise in fuel duty due in January.

This evening I led an Adjournment Debate on Empty Homes. At a time when so many families are struggling to find suitable accommodation, and developers are eager to build on our beautiful countryside, it is more important that we bring empty homes back into use. There are thousands of empty homes across Kirklees and hundreds of thousands across the country.

I have been working closely with ‘Restoration Man’ George Clarke on this issue. His 2-part series ‘The Great British Property Scandal‘ will air at 9pm on Monday 5th and Tuesday 6th December on Channel 4.

Filed under: Housing, Local Campaigns, Local Issues, Parliament, Speeches

Save Grimescar Valley

Jason's Staff — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:25:58 +0000

Jason joined well over a hundred local residents for a rally and community walk to highlight the campaign to save Grimescar Valley from developers.

For more information, please visit www.savegrimescarvalley.com.

Filed under: Campaign Days, Housing, Lindley, Local Campaigns, Local Issues, National Issues, Photos

Sparth Reservoir Near Marsden

Jason's Staff — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 10:24:33 +0000

Jason joined local swimmers and officials from British Waterways to try and reach a compromise over swimming at Sparth Reservoir near Marsden.

British Waterways recently installed a new ‘No Swimming’ sign at the reservoir between Marsden and Slaithwaite and it has sparked anger from local residents who have used the reservoir for swimming for decades. Jason invited British Waterways to meet the local action group at Sparth. Now the two sides are trying to reach a compromise.

Filed under: Local Issues, Marsden, News, Photos, Slaithwaite

Empty Homes

Jason's Staff — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:16:39 +0000

Jason was interviewed by George Clarke, Channel 4′s Restoration Man, for a forthcoming programme on Britain’s Empty Homes.

George and Jason have been speaking about the need to get these empty homes, including 11,000 in Kirklees, made available and refurbished for those that need them particularly at a time when developers are eyeing up green field sites.

Filed under: Housing, Interviews, Local Campaigns, Local Issues, National Issues

Penistone Line Rail Services

Jason's Staff — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:33:07 +0000

Jason spent the morning on a picturesque train trip to and from Honley discussing rail issues with the Huddersfield Penistone and Sheffield Rail-Users Association.

Car parking, fares, franchising, platform lengths and rolling stock were among this issues discussed whilst on board.

Jason is Vice Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Rail in the North Group in Westminster.

Filed under: Honley, Local Issues, Parliament, Photos, Transport

Meeting Birchencliffe Residents

Jason's Staff — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:52:07 +0000

Jason and Lindley Cllr Tony Brice met Birchencliffe residents concerned by development proposals for their area.

The residents are concerned about greenbelt land being reclassified to allow for huge scale housing and business developments on land near the M62 between Lindley and Birkby. The project has been labeled the Northern Gateway.

Jason has called for the Council’s Local Development Framework consultation to be suspended.

Filed under: Housing, Lindley, Local Campaigns, Local Issues, Photos

Thornton Lodge Community Garden

Jason's Staff — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 15:50:47 +0000

The community garden on Springdale Street, Thornton Lodge, is flourishing. Tomatoes are growing in the green house, the vegetable patch is bursting with carrots, peas and onions whilst the lawn is well used by the energetic local children. The Oak and Birch trees add more greenery to the street. Jason is fighting with the whole community to save this rare green oasis in a densely populated area from the developers.

Filed under: Local Issues, Photos, Thornton Lodge